Page 15 of Summer with a Single Dad

I extended my arm in invitation. “I’m sorry I lied,” I said, shutting the door behind me.

“I figured it was a lie.”

“You did?”

He shrugged. “I’m sure you have friends and family just like I do. But I’ve never known someone to be as busy as you.”

“Work does keep me busy.”

“So does mine,” he said. “But never too busy to not be able to make time for someone like you.”

My mouth opened to say,Wow, because I was so moved by his honesty and because his words made me like him even more than I thought I did. I knew my face relayed the message because he smiled. After swallowing the lump in my throat, I apologized again.

“As long as you don’t lie to me anymore, we’ll be fine. I like you, Emily, and I don’t want to feel like I have to second guess whether you’re telling me the truth or not. That’s not the kind of relationship I want.”

“Relationship?” I practically stuttered.

“Friendships are relationships, too, Emily. I expect anyone who is a part of my life to be honest.”

“I can be honest,” I said.

“Good. Speaking of which, I?—”

The beeping of my timer interrupted. “Hold that thought,” I said, lifting a finger before rushing to the oven.

“It smells delicious,” he said from right behind me. His words fluttered over me, his sexy voice arousing all of my senses. “Can I help with anything?”

The way he asked the question had my mind wandering to the bedroom. He was too close for me not to think of sex.

“I opened a bottle of wine. There’s beer in the fridge, too. I’m not sure what you like.”

“If you’re having wine, I’ll have a glass.”

I breathed a sigh of relief when he moved to pour two glasses I had for us on the table.

Trying my best to focus on the task at hand, I plated the caprese salads and handed them to Chris. “I’ll bring the mac and cheese over.”

Safeguarded with my potholders, I brought the dish to the table and set it on the hotplate.

Dinner was delicious, and the conversation flowed easily. My nervous energy evaporated, and soon, neither of us wanted thenight to end. We talked about college, my work, how I got into training, his relocation, and how he was acclimating.

“I’d like to have you show me around a little if you have time,” Chris said as we cleared off the table. “I’ve driven around and found some promising places to shop and eat. But since you know Love Beach better than I do, if you’re willing, I’d be grateful.”

“Sure. There’s a farmer’s market on Sundays I love to go to. You might like it. It’s on the outskirts of town, but definitely worth the drive.”

“It’s a date,” he said, drying his hands.

My heart fluttered, then pounded at his tone. Speechless, I looked up into eyes that were solely focused on me.

Suddenly, he closed his mouth over mine. Frustration drove both of us as he ended the push-and-pull flirtation game we’d been playing the last several hours. If I was honest, it had been going on since the day he pulled up to my house.

It would have been a waste of time to resist him.

Chris circled his hands around me as I slid mine up his back.

Soft lips moved impatiently over me. His hands, hard and firm, held me to him, refusing to let me go. I was free-falling into the vortex. The ride would be fun and totally worth it.

I wished he didn’t have this effect on me.

---